Representative women of New England/Eleanor L. Swain
ELEANOR LOUISE SWAIN was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, November 6, 1868, came to America at the age of five years, and is a decided New Englander in her tastes and manners. She is the daughter of John and Sarah (Plunkett) Conway. Her father was a soldier in the English army. Her childhood and youth were passed in Lawrence, Mass., and she received her education in that city. On December 24, 1890, she married Eugene Henry Swain, of Waltham, Mass., residing at Martin Square. They have two children: Grace Abbott, born February 11, 1892; and Eugene Conway, born January 19, 1895. In the Deborah Rebecca Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Waltham, she has filled the following offices — Warden, Vice-Grand, Noble Grand, Past Noble Grand, Chaplain, and Special Deputy of the Grand Master of the State. She is a member of the Woman's Club and the Emerson Browning Club and an active worker in the Universalist church. Mrs. Swain entered the Emerson School of Oratory in 1898, and was graduated with high honors in 1901. She then took a post-graduate course, winning class honors, and is now a teacher of elocution, oratory, and physical culture in Waltham, conducting large classes also in Boston. Mr. C. W. Emerson, proprietor of the Emerson College of Oratory, says of Mrs. Swain: "She has accomplished much during her three years’ course, and has proved herself to be a student of unusual power. Possessing a mind responsive to high ideals, she has been an inspiration both to her teachers and her classmates. I have great confidence in her teaching, and extend to her our cordial recommendation."
Besides having a fine presence, Mrs. Swain is gifted with much personal magnetism. which is no doubt one of the reasons why the meets with such marked success in both public work and teaching. Mrs. Swain and her husband rank among the active, influential citizens of Waltham, Mr. Swain being the proprietor of the Waltham Horological School.